Natural resources and energy
Is coal economically viable?
While the Trump Administration is pushing for growth of the American coal industry, market forces are heading toward renewable energy. But is coal still economically viable in the United States?
Pre-salt reserves make Brazil ripe for investment, but risk remains
On October 27, 2017, new auction rounds for the eight pre-salt blocks in Brazil were launched. As the Brazilian government approved a new regulatory framework for the bidding process to allow more investors, 14 foreign companies and two Brazilian entities were qualified to participate in the auction.
Re-imposing sanctions on Iran: oil market implications
The looming threat of renewed US sanctions on Iran’s oil and gas sector could pull hundreds of thousands of barrels off the market, tightening demand balances and throwing off investment plans.
Assessing the Trump doctrine of “energy dominance”
If the US is to wield energy as a weapon, it will be perceived as an unreliable supplier, and risk moving at cross-purposes with the system of free and open energy markets that it has promoted for decades.
Bahrain’s oil find a stroke of luck, but the benefits may have to wait
Bahrain’s discovery of large unconventional oil reserves may help its financial and political stability, but the benefits may have to wait given the find’s complexity and technological requirements.
Colombia at a crossroads on the issue of energy and fracking
With officials in Colombia grappling with the reality of dwindling oil reserves, fracking has become central to the energy conversation.
Tunisia’s phosphate mines – between a rock and a hard place
The ongoing strikes in Tunisia’s phosphate mines offer a valuable insight into structural deficits of the Tunisian economy.
ASEAN could face a crisis over its appetite for coal
Asia’s developing economies collectively need to invest $14.7 trillion just for power generation by 2030. Coal is filling that gap, with investments pouring in from China and Japan. But are ASEAN governments prepared to face the environmental costs?
The future of Yamal LNG in the Asia-Pacific market
Claims have been made that Yamal LNG will be directed to the Asian market, however, there are several factors that limit its turn to the Asia-Pacific.
ELN poses long-term risk to Colombia’s oil and gas industry
Hours after the ninety-day ceasefire between the Colombian government and the ELN ended, the last remaining guerrilla in the country demonstrated why foreign investment will not be returning anytime soon.
